Chapter 36

This system message lingered in the game for a long time, slowly fading away only when the time limit was reached.

Xian Mengmeng was completely stunned, even forgetting to override Little Sweet Scene’s message.

She hadn’t expected Little Sweet Scene to pull this move. Her eyes widened in shock, and it took her a while to process what had happened.

[Private Chat] Xian Mengmeng: ???

[Private Chat] Xian Mengmeng: We’re clearly in a private chat, why did you have to post a loudspeaker message? And what you said was so fake innocent!

[Private Chat] Little Sweet View: Don’t you love spamming loudspeakers the most? I thought you’d prefer communicating with people over loudspeakers~

[Private Chat] Little Sweet View: Besides, how am I being fake innocent [question mark], wasn’t everything I said the truth..

Xian Mengmeng was just about to type a reply——

[System Announcement] Little Sweet Scene: Xian Mengmeng, rest assured, I never intended to compete with you for first place in the singing competition. I only joined to get the participation prize, so I hope you’ll stop harassing me from now on. As for other matters… unless Brother gets back together with you or finds another girlfriend, I won’t give up. If you want to kill me, go ahead—just remember to hire more skilled assassins next time.

“……”

Xian Mengmeng was so furious she almost saw stars.

“Go ahead and kill me”? Sure, she wanted to kill Little Sweet Scene, but in the end, who was the one who lost two pieces of equipment?!

[Announcement] Masked Beauty: Just saying, Fairy Mengmeng, you’re being a bit excessive here. If you want revenge, then go kill Heart’s Desire… what does Sweet Scenery have to do with this?

[Announcement] Little Gentleness: Backing up the sister above. Last time you even brought people to hunt down Sweet Scenery. That move really left me speechless.

To be honest, Fairy Mengmeng knew perfectly well that she was being unreasonable by hiring people to chase Sweet Scenery and going on YY to hurl insults.

But so what?

In the online world, as soon as she turns off her computer, she returns to her normal life. Since reality is already unsatisfactory, she shouldn’t have to suffer in the game as well. And besides…

If she can’t have the man, it’s best that no one else can either.

After hesitating for a moment, she opened a group chat with some friends and forwarded the broadcast message.

Xianxian: Great, now I’m the villain ^^.

Soon after, her “good sister” stepped up to stand up for her.

[Announcement] Ji Xiaonian: How amusing. Is there any actual evidence proving Little Sweet Jing isn’t the same female scammer from before? The voice being different could just mean she used a voice changer, and the improved gameplay might be from hiring a booster. Besides, the whole server knows Xiang Wangzhi and Xianxian haven’t truly settled their issues—what’s her angle in butting in like this?

Jing Huan didn’t respond to Ji Xiaonian. He had no intention of airing dirty laundry on the announcement channel.

He just wanted an excuse for his half-hearted participation in the event while also throwing shade at Xian Mengmeng—and…

Jing Huan glanced at Xiang Wangzhi, who was currently holding his hand to complete quests together.

He had already hinted his feelings for Heart’s Yearning so many times, overtly and covertly, yet their relationship remained stuck at the “teammate” level. If things continued at this sluggish pace, wouldn’t his wonderful college years be completely wasted on this scoundrel?!

He decided to be direct! He was going to launch a frontal assault on Heart’s Yearning!

With this thought in mind, Jing Huan swallowed the throat lozenge in his mouth and called out sweetly, “Brother…”

[Announcement] Heart’s Yearning: It never started, so there’s nothing to end.

This announcement shut down all of Jing Huan’s rebuttals.

Xinxiangwanzhi usually never posts announcements except when trading items. Plus, this was his first time addressing the rumors about his relationship with Xian Mengmeng, so the server chat instantly exploded.

[World] Little Garfield: What do you mean “it never started”?!

[World] Suisui Ruyi: …What can I say? A scumbag lives up to his name.

[World] WithYou: Can SweetJing open your eyes? If you don’t cut your losses in time, you’ll be the next XianMengmeng.

[World] MistyTrace: A willing abuser and a willing victim, a scumbag paired with a shameless woman—perfect match!

Xiang Huaizhi muted the world channel and spoke into the mic: “Talk.”

Jing Huan asked cautiously, “You’re not angry, are you?”

Before Xiang Huaizhi could respond, he whispered again, “I just… like you too much. I didn’t mean to drag you into this.”

This was the first time in Jing Huan’s life he had said “like” to someone outside his family. Out of guilt, his voice grew terribly weak when uttering those two words.

But these small details, filtered through the sound card and wires, flawlessly conveyed the shyness and nervousness of a young girl to the person on the other end.

Even though Xiang Huaizhi was used to her enthusiasm, for a moment, he found himself dazed.

After a moment, he snapped out of it.

“No,” Xiang Huaizhi said calmly. “But I suggest you move on sooner rather than later.”

Jing Huan asked, “…Why?”

“I don’t do online relationships,” Xiang Huaizhi stated bluntly. “And I won’t like you.”

If it were any other girl, her heart would probably be shattered into pieces.

Jing Huan propped her chin in her hands and said pitifully, “I know… I never thought I could actually be with you, Brother. Just being able to team up with you, run dungeons, and play in the arena is more than enough for me.”

On the other side, Lu Hang’s private messages were almost exploding. The gossip enthusiasts in the guild were all messaging him, hoping to pry some inside information about Xiang Huaizhi and Xiao Tianjing from him.

Lu Hang replied to each one with “I don’t know,” then looked up and said, “Xiang Xiang, look how devoted Xiao Jing Jing is. If you ask me, you might as well give it a try with her.”

Xiang Huaizhi: “You think this is a food tasting session?”

“It’s not like we’re really dating. Just getting married in-game, and the processing fee is only 100 gold—no big deal,” Lu Hang said. “I think Xiao Jingjing is quite cute. You won’t find another chance like this.”

Xiang Huaizhi: “If you think she’s cute, why don’t you go after her yourself?”

Lu Hang muttered, “How dare I steal your girl…”

Xiang Huaizhi was about to retort when he noticed the little fox fairy in the team suddenly changed into a black mini-skirt outfit, even dyeing her tail a grayish-white. The two of them stood together, looking completely natural and harmonious.

[Team]Sweet Scenery: Matching outfits. ^0^/

He stared at Little Fox Spirit’s tail for a while, then moved his fingers to guide her near the quest NPC, saying nothing more.

    ——

Jing Huan kept his word. After advancing to the semifinals of the singing competition, he started slacking off. He stopped singing revolutionary songs and switched to children’s songs, singing them so poorly that a single phrase could veer off into three different melodies.

At first, some players found her amusing and voted for her, but after a while, the novelty wore off.

Seeing the likes gradually decline, Jing Huan could finally focus on more important matters.

That day, the group was once again tackling dungeons together.

[Team] Little Sweet Scene: Brother~ are we doing the arena tonight? ^^

[Team]Heart’s Desired: Anything is fine.

[Team]Little Sweet Scene: [Holding onto the thigh][Cheerleader]

[Team]Long Journey: By the way, Old Down and I are going out next week, so our online time might be unstable those days. We might not make it for dungeons in time, so you guys can find a temporary team to complete the quests first.

[Team]Little Sweet Scene: 0.0 Next week? Which day exactly?

[Team] Lu Tiaotiao: Wednesday through Saturday.

[Team] Little Sweet Scenery: What a coincidence~ I’m also going out with classmates those days. Are you traveling?

[Team] Lu Tiaotiao: Mountain climbing! [Fighting] How about you?

[Team] Little Sweet Scenery: Wow~ That’s impressive. The weather’s getting a bit chilly, so my classmates and I are going to soak in hot springs. [Relaxed]

Huai Zhi watched their conversation with a slightly darkened gaze.

Their school is vacating classrooms next week to serve as exam venues for others, which is why they’re having a break—not because of any special holiday.

Such coincidences don’t just happen. Xiaotianjing really seems to attend the same school as him.

At that moment, LoveIsSharingWithYou suddenly turned on her mic. Her voice sounded extremely weak: “Sorry… I might have to log off after this dungeon run. I really can’t hold on anymore—I don’t even have the strength to type.”

[Team]SweetJing: What’s wrong, feeling unwell?

“Yeah.” LoveIsSharingFoodWithYou said, “Stomachache… you know.”

Jing Huan was taken aback. Know what?

[Team]SweetJing: Food poisoning?

Love to Share with You” paused for a moment: “Well, it’s those few days.

[Team]Little Sweet Scene: [Puzzled] Huh??

[Team]Lu Tiaotiao: That time of the month?

“Yeah, for some reason this time, my stomach feels really uncomfortable. It’s never been like this before.” Love to Share with You asked, “Little Scene, do you usually have cramps?”

Jing Huan: “…”

Wait, do girls really talk about such topics among themselves?!

He hesitated for a moment before typing.

[Team]SweetScenery: Doesn’t hurt 0.0

LoveIsSharingFood was surprised: “Doesn’t hurt? Really? All the girls I know feel uncomfortable.”

Jing Huan immediately backtracked: “Well, occasionally, it’s not that serious…”

“Right? No need to be embarrassed, pain is normal,” LoveIsSharingWithYou said. “Is your period regular? Around which date usually? I feel like you’re full of energy every day.”

Jing Huan made up an excuse: “Early in the month… If you’re not feeling well, just go AFK and rest. I can solo heal.”

LoveIsSharingWithYou: “Ah, are you sure you can handle it alone?”

“No problem, I’m really good at this!” Jing Huan said. “Go ahead.”

After LoveIsSharingLeftYou logged off, Jing Huan had just breathed a sigh of relief when his phone suddenly vibrated.

ChiChi: xxxx brand internal menstrual tampon applicator, copy this description and search on Taobao…

Xiao Jing: ??!!

Chi Chi: Buy it! Isn’t your period at the beginning of the month?! Then it’s next week, remember to take it when you go to the hot springs!!

Chi Chi: Don’t worry, it works really well—no foreign body sensation! Won’t leak! And no pain either!

Jing Huan: …………

Jing Huan sent two messages of thanks, then immediately closed WeChat, too embarrassed to glance at that link again.

In the evening, the two of them went to play in the arena together.

After finishing a PvP match, Xiang Huaizhi suddenly asked, “Are you going to the hot springs next week?”

Jing Huan was startled: “Huh? Yeah, I’m going with some classmates. Why do you ask, brother?”

“It seems there are no holidays next week.”

“Our school is making space for exams, so we have several days off,” Jing Huan replied without much thought, obediently adding, “What about you, brother? Do you also have time off next week?”

Xiang Huaizhi said, “No, we’re skipping class.”

Jing Huan let out an “Oh” and pretended to be coquettish: “Can I still message you on WeChat during those days?”

“Up to you.”

Ever since Jing Huan publicly confessed to him in the game’s announcement channel, HeartYearning had rarely responded to his WeChat messages. On the rare occasions he did reply, the responses were extremely brief.

Jing Huan said pitifully, “Will you reply to me, brother?”

Xiang Huai Zhi remained silent for a moment before saying, “…I’ll reply when I have time.”